Review: Keri Noble

On a cold Detroit morning (or so the story goes), a preacher’s daughter mostly exposed to Christian music stumbles into Joni Mitchell’s “Blue,” and from then on her life changes completely. This sounds like cliché straight out of a Lifetime-channel movie, but this is exactly the musical awakening this Minneapolis-based singer-songwriter had at the age of 18. This immediately prompted her to pursue a musical career, and soon she became active in her hometown coffeehouse circuit. In 2004 she had her debut recording, “Fearless” (EMI/Manhattan), under the production of the late Arif Mardin, who also had a hand on Norah Jones’ first two CDs. Noble is often compared to Jones thanks to the Mardin connection and the fact that both are pianists with a strong pop following. However, they are stylistically worlds apart, as Noble’s work has more of an alternative-rock vibe. She ultimately parted ways with EMI in 2005, and signed with Telarc while also securing a record deal in Japan with JVC. She has a beauty of an EP on her US label, which she will be showcasing during her current tour. (Ernest Barteldes)